A Foolproof Method to Fabricate Integrated Electrodes with 3D Conductive Networks: A Case Study of MnO_x@C‐Cu as Li‐Ion Battery Anode

Abstract

Integrated electrodes have attracted numerous attention for their wide applications, such as in battery, supercapacitor, and catalyst (for oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, and hydrogen reduction reaction). When used for Li‐ion batteries, these electrodes always show superior electrochemical performance for their merits, such as binder free, open framework, and robust adherence. Nevertheless, the current integrated electrodes usually lack an effective conductive network or require a tedious postfabrication process. Herein, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is used as a bifunctional material, for its cohesiveness and ability of acting as N‐doping carbon precursor, to fabricate integrated electrodes with 3D conductive networks. Owing to its high N content (12.4 wt%), large volume shrinkage, and gas production, porous conductive network forms when PVP is carbonized. This strategy is foolproof, low cost, and can be scaled‐up. The electrodes fabricated by this method epitomize the merits of 3D conductive network, integrated structure, and open framework. As an example, MnOx@C‐Cu shows excellent electrochemical performance (1030 mA h g−1 at 0.4 A g−1 up to 350th cycles, and 320 mA h g−1 at 2.0 A g−1) when evaluated as Li‐ion battery anode owing to these merits. Moreover, other functional integrated electrodes are developed, paving an easy way to fabricate integrated electrodes with 3D conductive networks.

Flexible Antimony@Carbon Integrated Anode for High‐Performance Potassium‐Ion Battery

“…Our previous and peer works suggest that a continuous conductive framework is vital to improve the rate capability. [ 29,33 ] Thus, it is reasonable to develop novel Sb‐based electrode with a continuous conductive framework to achieve high reversible capability, long cycling stability, and excellent rate capability.…”

A novel and fast method to prepare a Cu-supported α-Sb2S3@CuSbS2binder-free electrode for sodium-ion batteries

“…Base on the data of EIS and the equation i 0 ¼ RT/nFR ct , the exchange current density (i 0 ) of a-Sb 2 S 3 @CuSbS 2 electrode (0.129 mA cm À2 ) and the i 0 of the traditional electrode (0.045 mA cm À2 ) were calculated, conrming the improved chargetransfer in a-Sb 2 S 3 @CuSbS 2 electrode. 45 We emphasize that avoiding the use of binders is one of key factors to improve electrode performance because the polymer binders can block the active sites, inhibit diffusion and increase transfer resistance of the electron or sodium ion. In addition, the binder will undergo side reactions with the electrolyte during cyclic charge and discharge; for example, PVDF will decompose in the ether electrolyte, the binder-free electrode can also effectively avoid this problem.…”

“…Finally, the CSS preparation process can effectively reduce the electrode thickness and shorten the transport distance of electron and ions, which is critical to the activity and stability of the electrode. 45,52 Furthermore, since the capacity of CuSbS 2 is much smaller than that of Sb 2 S 3 , the main function of CuSbS 2 is to stabilize the connection of the current collector and the electrode. 53 Therefore, on the basis of achieving the function of CuSbS 2 , increasing the proportion of Sb 2 S 3 in active materials as much as possible is the key to further improve the performance of SIBs.…”

Opportunities of Aqueous Manganese‐Based Batteries with Deposition and Stripping Chemistry

“…[ 5–10 ] Rechargeable batteries [ 11–19 ] are regarded as the most efficient energy storage technologies that have been widely applied to portable electronics, electric vehicles and grid‐scale energy storage. Although lithium ion batteries are dominating the current market of electric vehicles and portable electronic devices, [ 20–24 ] their application in grid‐scale energy storage is just beginning due to relatively high cost, limited service life, and safety concerns. [ 25–30 ] Other existing rechargeable batteries such as sodium‐sulfur (Na‐S), lead‐acid, and redox‐flow batteries have been gradually applied to the grid storage, but they have encountered different obstacles that need to be overcome, as summarized in Figure 1 .…”